DENVER, Colo. – June 4, 2012 -- Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Immanuel, which established a visionary partnership in Omaha under the name Alegent Health in 1996, have agreed to sign a letter of intent (LOI) to transition sponsorship of Alegent Health to CHI. This follows a decision by the Immanuel Board of Directors to focus its ministry on senior care programs and services for seniors and their families.

Under the proposed letter of intent, Immanuel will transition its role as a sponsor and its governance responsibilities (property interests) of Alegent Health to CHI. This includes Immanuel Medical Center and its affiliates in the Omaha area. CHI will establish a strategic collaboration with Immanuel to expand the retirement housing, programs and service needs of seniors and their families throughout Nebraska and Iowa, including skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day care, senior wellness and Programs for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE). Details of the collaboration are under development.

The decision by the Immanuel Board of Directors to transition its sponsorship of Alegent Health to CHI followed a 16-month-long discernment and strategic planning process that highlighted the need for an organization-wide emphasis on senior services.

“Immanuel and CHI share a strong heritage and common purpose of serving the health needs of people and communities we serve,” said Kevin Lofton, president and CEO of CHI. “We have been blessed as partners in sponsoring Alegent Health in the past. We applaud Immanuel’s courageous decision to meet the unmet needs of seniors and their families.

We look forward to working with Alegent Health with a sense of excitement and great possibilities,” Lofton said. “Alegent will have unlimited access to the services of a nationally recognized health system, including population health management; leading clinical practices; the CHI Institute for Research and Innovation and industry-best practices, such as insurance and risk management, and proven methods to reduce expensive infrastructure.”

“We also look forward to partnering with Creighton to help educate the next generation of providers and expanding education and research opportunities throughout the country,” added Lofton.

Added Eric Gurley, president and CEO of Immanuel: “CHI and Immanuel have accomplished a great deal during our partnership. We intend to establish a new collaborative relationship with CHI in the future. This will allow Immanuel to not only continue to meet the retirement housing needs, programs and services of seniors and their families in the communities we serve, but to enhance our mission in communities where CHI serves the acute medical care needs.”

The decision by Immanuel to transition its sponsorship reflects a growing national trend toward specialization and consolidation in the wake of national health reform. While Immanuel will improve and expand its senior services in Nebraska and Iowa, CHI will bring national resources and expertise to an already strong regional health delivery system, which now includes acute-care facilities in Nebraska and Iowa.

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About Catholic Health Initiatives: Catholic Health Initiatives is a national nonprofit health organization with headquarters in Englewood, Colo. The faith-based system operates in 19 states and includes 76 hospitals; 40 long-term care, assisted- and residential-living facilities; two community health-services organizations; two accredited nursing colleges; and home health agencies. In fiscal year 2011, CHI provided more than $612 million in charity care and community benefit, including services for the poor, free clinics, education and research. With annual revenues of more than $10.5 billion, CHI is the nation's second-largest Catholic health care system. For more information, visit www.catholichealthinitiatives.org

About Immanuel: Immanuel owns and operates five independent and assisted living retirement campuses in Omaha, Papillion and Lincoln, NE, and Immanuel Pathways in Council Bluffs, IA. All built on Immanuel’s 125-year legacy of providing Christ-centered services, and allowing anyone to become a part of something bigger without ever losing themselves. At Immanuel, we believe there’s nothing in life more rewarding than helping others live theirs to the fullest. For more information, visit www.immanuelcommunities.com.

About Alegent Health: With a commitment to providing high-quality care and an exceptional patient experience, Alegent Health, its 1,300 physicians and 8,600 employees are focused on caring for the body, mind and spirit of every person. Patients find a continuum of care at Alegent Health, from primary care through geriatrics. Families can also find specialty care at Alegent Health including women's and children's, cardiovascular, orthopedics, spine, oncology, physical rehabilitation and behavioral health services. With the blessing of our sponsors, Catholic Health Initiatives and Immanuel, Alegent Health has ten hospitals, freestanding inpatient psychiatric and skilled nursing facilities and more than 100 sites of service making us the largest not-for-profit, faith-based healthcare provider in Nebraska and southwest Iowa. For more information, visit www.alegent.com.